The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-11-05

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the days of Dante and Milton, and that
the larger hope is universally entertained
by the great poets, all Of whom believe
in the personal immortality of the soul
and future life Of progress according
to natural laws. The analysis was sus.
tanned by quotations from Edwin Arnold
Tennyson, Holmes, Longfellow, Whittier
and others.
In the evening the church was well
filled to listen to addresses upon Our
Church Needs" Rev. J. M. Getchell spoke
of the need of organization and higher
qualifications in the ministry, recalling
interesting historical items. Rev. Chas.
Fluhrer thought that the mission of the
Universalist church was an educational
one, and that the church should be true
to it's genius. Believing in a Universal
Father, it ought not to entertain any par
tial or exclusive views of revelation or in
SEPARATION. It should fellowship every
truth as the word OF the living God. We
must be leaders in progressive thought.
Rev. 8. Fl. Robin: 1st We need more
culture with all the grace and attractive
ness it will add to our church. I'd. A
Universalism that is Scriptural because
it is universal and finds it's supreme war
rant in the organization and harmonious
action of the forces OF the universe. It
was finished address.
Rev. M. B. Carpenter felt that Univers-
alists should be more loyal to their
church, and s. 8. Williams believed in
more mission work among the poor and
lowly. The meeting was somewhat of
an experiment, but although most of the
remarks were extempore, they were equal
to the addresses OF many platform meet
ing.
There was a spirited and deeply inter-
esting Conference on Wednesday morn
ing from to 10, after which the business
session was resumed.
The subject of Missionary Conferences
was brought up and it was voted to hold
ten during the year, and committees, con-
sisting of Revs Gibbs, Dickerman and
Getchell appointed for the purpose, di-
vided the State into Northern, Central
and Southern districts, in charge of Revs.
Robin, Fluhrer and Rexford respectively
the conferences to be divided among
these districts.
The President, Secretary and Rev. J.
II. Palmer were appointed Committee
to secure to the Convention all church
property in places where the organization
is endangered.
The afternoon session was chiefly given
to consideration of Sunday-school in
tereste. Rev. FL. A. Wales, although alb
sent, sent his paper on the object of the
Sunday school. Originally the Sunday
school was place into which waits
were gathered for secular instruction.
The character of it's teaching has been
entirely changed, its object now being to
teach matters cognate to religion. The
Bible should be the text book, and all
secular help subordinate But above all,
good morals should be made the most
prominent feature Of Sunday-school in
struction.
Rev. Frank McAlpiae gave most sug-
gestive address upon Methods of Work"
Human nature must be first taken into
account. The method with children up
to about seven years must be purely OBJ
jective, such beng reached through the
senses. Those from seven to twelve
should be given material that can be
memorized, for the memory is newly act
i've then. An older class, including early
manhood and womanhood must have the
affectionsl nature impressed. The last
classes to be reached through the reason
or understanding. Felicitous illustrations
were cited for each point taken.
W. L. Swans subject was the "Teach-
er's Preparation" 1t is Q) A moral and
spiritual one, for no teacher who is not
religious and exemplary should teach.
(2) Intellectual equipment, such as study,
close observation and open eyes and ears
through the week will afford. 80 A re-
spect for order, to command attention.
a. Lesson study should begin on Sunday
preceding that assigned for the lesson.
After the lesson Of the day, let the teach
or go over the new lesson with the pupils
and select subjects for thoughts during
the week.
Rev. J. M. Getchell spoke Of the Gre
lation of the Sunday-school to the
Church, "deploring the habit of attending
one only. The Sunday-school is not the
"children's church" but means of pre-
paration for membership and larger ef-
ficiency in the church. They should be
related as bud to blossom or blossom to
fruit.
The Nominating Committee presented
report and the nominations were con-
fered rs follows:
Trustee for three years.-Theodore
Trowbridge.
Committee on Fellowship, Ordination
and Discipline.-Rs W. l.. Gibbs, Rev.
M. B. Carpenter, e. A. Treadway.
Preacher of Occasional Sermon, 1888.
Rev. w. F. Dickerman; alternate, Rev.
J. ii. Palmer
Delegates to General Convention
Clerical, Rev. 8. II. Robin; Lay, Henry
Spring, A. l.. Stewart.
Place OF Adjournment charlotte